Exploring the Impact of Sex and Gender in Brain Function: Implications and Considerations

IF 3.4 3区 医学 Q2 MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL
Roberta Gualtierotti, Cinzia Bressi, Barbara Garavaglia, Paolo Brambilla
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Sex and gender are crucial variables in understanding brain development and disease. Biological sex is determined by genetic and hormonal factors, whereas gender is a multidimensional construct shaped by social and cultural influences. The interplay of these factors contributes to sex-specific susceptibilities and disease progression in psychiatric and neurological disorders. However, sex and gender are often considered as a single variable, which can lead to biased data analysis and interpretation.

This commentary aims to analyze how sex and gender influence brain structure and function, with implications for personalized medicine, research, and the development of gender-sensitive clinical guidelines.

Methods

Findings from various studies employing neuroimaging techniques and animal models are discussed, as well as the impact of biological sex, gender, environmental, cultural, and social factors on brain development, organization, and behavior.

Results

Evidence suggests that sex differences in brain structure and function are not only genetically determined but are also influenced by gender-related experiences and societal contexts. Importantly, discrepancies between male and female brains are reduced in gender-equal societies. Preclinical studies play a pivotal role in determining the influence of biological sex, independent of gender, in different disease models.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the need to consider both sex and gender in research and clinical practice to avoid biases and promote equitable health outcomes. Moving forward, we advocate for gender-sensitive approaches to be integrated into brain research and in clinical guidelines to achieve personalized and precision medicine.

探索性和性别对大脑功能的影响:影响与思考。
引言性别是了解大脑发育和疾病的关键变量。生理性别由遗传和荷尔蒙因素决定,而性别则是受社会和文化影响而形成的多维结构。这些因素的相互作用导致了精神和神经疾病的性别特异性易感性和疾病进展。然而,性和性别往往被视为单一变量,这会导致数据分析和解释出现偏差。本评论旨在分析性和性别如何影响大脑结构和功能,从而对个性化医疗、研究和制定对性别问题有敏感认识的临床指南产生影响:方法:讨论采用神经成像技术和动物模型的各种研究结果,以及生理性别、性别、环境、文化和社会因素对大脑发育、组织和行为的影响:有证据表明,大脑结构和功能的性别差异不仅由基因决定,还受到与性别相关的经历和社会环境的影响。重要的是,在性别平等的社会中,男女大脑之间的差异会缩小。临床前研究在确定生物性别对不同疾病模型的影响(与性别无关)方面发挥着关键作用:研究结果强调,在研究和临床实践中需要同时考虑性和性别因素,以避免偏见并促进公平的健康结果。展望未来,我们主张将对性别问题有敏感认识的方法纳入脑科学研究和临床指南,以实现个性化和精准医学。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Advances in Therapy
Advances in Therapy 医学-药学
CiteScore
7.20
自引率
2.60%
发文量
353
审稿时长
6-12 weeks
期刊介绍: Advances in Therapy is an international, peer reviewed, rapid-publication (peer review in 2 weeks, published 3–4 weeks from acceptance) journal dedicated to the publication of high-quality clinical (all phases), observational, real-world, and health outcomes research around the discovery, development, and use of therapeutics and interventions (including devices) across all therapeutic areas. Studies relating to diagnostics and diagnosis, pharmacoeconomics, public health, epidemiology, quality of life, and patient care, management, and education are also encouraged. The journal is of interest to a broad audience of healthcare professionals and publishes original research, reviews, communications and letters. The journal is read by a global audience and receives submissions from all over the world. Advances in Therapy will consider all scientifically sound research be it positive, confirmatory or negative data. Submissions are welcomed whether they relate to an international and/or a country-specific audience, something that is crucially important when researchers are trying to target more specific patient populations. This inclusive approach allows the journal to assist in the dissemination of all scientifically and ethically sound research.
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